I stilll own nothing! Sadness. But at least the majority of the content in this chapter is original material, lol.

He looked around. It was dark, but he could see. Balthazar looked up and could see nothing. He looked at the ground and appeared to be on some flat, misty surface that had no temperature or texture.

Then, he saw Merlin. "Master!" he called out. Merlin turned and smiled. "Welcome, Balthazar. It's been a long time," the old man said. Balthazar rushed over and grinned. "Too long. Thank you, by the way, for that eagle. It saved my life."

Merlin chuckled. "Oh, that wasn't me. It was your apprentice... Dave, I believe it is? He didn't know it, but between the contraption awaiting commands and his urge to rescue you, it worked like a charm... better than, I should say."

Balthazar blinked. "Dave sent it? I'll have to thank him when..."

Merlin sighed and rested a hand on his own apprentice's shoulder. "You did your best and put up a good fight, my boy. Let's leave the world to the next generation now."

Balthazar collapsed into a sitting position, and Merlin sat beside him. "We were so close, Merlin!" he said, "I was expecting death- I was prepared. But I got my hopes up when Dave showed his magic... I shouldn't have, I guess," Balthazar winced.

Merlin smiled a sympathetic smile. "I understand. I was winning against Morgana until Maxim stepped in. A horrid feeling, isn't it?"

Balthazar bowed his head before looking to Merlin. "Why are you here? Is this all there is? Where's Leonard, Jaime, and William? All the others who died for the Cause?"

Merlin gave a knowing little smirk. "They are waiting. They were here at one point, and they were met by those they missed the most. Those guided the newly-dead to the Path of Temptation, and all followed to the pearly gates. I'm here to guide you."

Balthazar gazed at him queerly. "Path of Temptation... It exists?" he asked. Merlin nodded. "And I do believe you'd like to go there... I've recently been alerted that a third fork in the road had come. See?"

Three roads spread out across the empty expanse. One had screams in the distance, but was otherwise peaceful looking. The path to Hell. The second was dark, but music played. The third was dimly-lit, cloudy, and he could hear someone familiar... Something he missed."

"That's not good enough," it said.

Balthazar turned to Merlin. "That's Dave!" he said. Merlin nodded. "Yes, my dear apprentice. It is. As you know, life isn't easy. You have the option to brave the dark and come to the light, or to see one last light before the eternal dark. Either way, it's your choice. But apparently, you have a third option people rarely have. I didn't."

Balthazar remembered the years without Veronica. The defeat when he thought the Rising would happen despite everything. He remembered the pain of physical wounds. He remembered all the hardships of training- on both ends of the equation. The search for the Prime Merlinian filled his mind. He looked at his master, who was already heading down the darker path.

He almost followed. It wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth it at all.

But then...

"With all you're stupid rules!" he heard.

"And you're old man shoes!" Balthazar smiled. Yes, the bane of his poor apprentice's existence.

"And you constantly saving me with that look in your eyes." his eyebrows shot up. He didn't know Dave had a soft spot for his master- he'd only been with him for a little over three days!

"Come on!

Balthazar knew the sound of defeat when he heard it. The sound of his apprentice giving his all brought Balthazar the memories of pride, hope, love, wonder, and everything else life brought him. He waved to Merlin, who nodded. This was the right choice.

"Come on!" Dave's voice rings out down the path.

With the energy of a young boy, Balthazar Blake sprinted down the path. The rain gave way to chilling winds, and still he ran. He got heavier and it got more painful with each step, but still he ran. He had to. "Come...on."

Then, a block appeared in his way. He pushed against the block. Dave was giving up, he didn't have a lot of time!
It gave way, and he opened his eyes. His side was killing him, and he wondered if he will be able to do much for a while, but his eyes focused on Dave, who's eyes filled with disbelief and hope.

"I had a dream," Balthazar began, " that you were insulting me, Dave. Repeatedly." Dave glanced up at Veronica and said, "That's pretty weird, huh?
Balthazar snorted. "No, it kind of makes sense."

Dave laughed, giddy with relief. "Yeah." Then, he began to manipulate his master's hand. It took Balthazar a second to realize when Dave was doing.

Dave had placed the necklace meant for Veronica in the man's hand. It was a sign that he wouldn't fulfill that last request- Balthazar would.

"Thank you," he whispered. Dave smiled. "Welcome back, old man."

Veronica rushed to Balthazar and helped him to his feet. "You're here," she said in amazement.

She saw the necklace and helped him put it on. Then they reunited with a kiss. After several minutes, they broke off and they watched a steel eagle fly off with two figures on it. Then she turned to Balthazar. "Where does it hurt?" she asked

Balthazar sighed and pointed to the left side of his rib cage. She helped him sit on the steps and used Dave's circle. He gasped as the bones mended themselves. The gash resealed. The blood flow stopped. He smiled at the release from pain. "Thank you, Veronica," he said.

She blinked and sagged. "Anytime, my love."

Balthazar caught her as she began to fall back, and he lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to his car. She opened her eyes and laughed a small chuckle. "Well, it looks like you have been busy, Balthazar. I do not even know what this is!"

Balthazar merely shook his head and said, "It's a mode of transportation, called a car. Of course, Dave's Tesla coil usually isn't on the hood, but that's about the only difference."
Veronica smiled and said, "You always were the one up to date on the latest fashions. Even during the war you would go to the nearest town to buy the newest scabbard or hear the latest gossip."

Balthazar chuckled as he slipped into the driver's seat. "Don't go telling Dave that- it wouldn't keep the master figure in a very good place!"

Veronica laughed, and then quieted. "David... Dave. He does remind me of Merlin to some extent. His focus on the sciences led him to win against Morgana, He did not allow himself any distraction, and he is very powerful. He also adores you, Balthazar."

Balthazar glanced at Veronica for a second. "Me? I suppose. We have our differences though."

Veronica nodded. "As did you and Merlin. I still remember that fight you two had about allowing Maxim to train with me. You were so worried."

Balthazar said, "I don't know if you remember, but Maxim isn't on our side anymore."

Veronica's eyes widened. "What?"

Balthazar's eyes looked studiously at the road. "He betrayed us that night, Veronica. He allowed Merlin to be killed, he stole the Rising spell, he tried to kill me, and he was here tonight. He would have killed me, if Dave hadn't shown up."

Veronica let out a gasp of disbelief. "I assumed so much. Oh, Balthazar, I am sorry. But no matter. We cannot all win in the end."

Balthazar knew she was hiding her grief, knew it because that was what he would have done, if he hadn't grieved centuries ago. "Well, I agree that Dave is a lot like Merlin, though he can be a true idiot sometimes. Look at how he showed up today! He didn't think he had any magic, the idiot!"

Veronica knew that her beloved was covering up worry with anger- again. "Do not be angry because he wanted to help you. He saved your life at least twice tonight. He is brilliant. He moved these snake-like things up into those glowing posts, and plasma came out and held Morgana while he fired his own plasma bolts. How ingenious!

He is also very protective of you. I was never so scared of a sorcerer as I was of him when I saw that look in his eyes as he faced Morgana. Mind you, I only caught a glimpse, and my main attention was on you. And then later, he shot plasma bolts in to your heart. I was worried that he would kill you again! But he did the impossible."

Balthazar didn't look at her. "Yes, he did."

Then, they reached the lab, Balthazar parked the car and guided Veronica inside, realizing the state the lab was in. He looked at his beautiful beloved.

"Veronica, we weren't exactly focused on cleaning but-" he began. She put a finger to his lips. "Balthazar, I have camped with Merlin in swamps, ditches, and on the banks of a river. This is nothing."

Balthazar smiled at Veronica's practicality and then took her to his bedroom that he had built into the lab. They lay down and Balthazar drifted off into an undisturbed sleep.

R&R and I'll send you a virtual happy-face!